"Double standards": EAM Jaishankar takes indirect shot at US over Russia oil policy

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday pointed to “double standards” without naming the US, stressing the deep connection between international peace and global development and noting that both have worsened together, affecting the Global South.

“Threatening development we cannot facilitate peace,” he said, urging the global community to “move the needle towards dialogue and diplomacy.”

Speaking at a Foreign Ministers’ meeting under the South African presidency of the G20, Jaishankar focused his remarks on the peace‑development nexus.


His comments came against the backdrop of recent US economic measures. Washington has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, with 25% described as a sanction linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Former US President Donald Trump has also threatened further trade restrictions on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

“Peace can certainly enable development, but by threatening development, we cannot facilitate peace. Making energy and other essentials more uncertain in an economically fragile situation helps no one. Therefore, the way out is to move the needle towards dialogue and diplomacy, not in the opposite direction towards further complications,” Jaishankar said.

He pointed out that the Global South has suffered from higher costs for food, fuel and fertilisers.

“The costs, especially to the Global South in terms of energy, food and fertiliser security, were starkly demonstrated by ongoing conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza. Apart from jeopardising supplies and logistics, access and costs themselves became pressure points on nations. Double standards are clearly in evidence,” he said.

Jaishankar underlined that such double standards were apparent in how some countries handle conflicts, adding that making essentials like energy more uncertain in an already fragile economic environment “helps no one” and deepens divisions. “Peace can certainly enable development, but by threatening development, we cannot facilitate peace,” he stressed.

He further noted that some countries are in a position to engage both sides in a conflict and should be encouraged to do so.

“In any conflict situation, there will be a few who can engage both sides. Such countries can be utilised by the international community, both to achieve peace and to maintain it thereafter,” he said.

Jaishankar is also set to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 27.